Niles' hand tightened on the other's sweatshirt. He wanted nothing more to just give in to that invitation. To hold Gabe close and just let him lead. It would be so easy. But it wasn't right to do it here in the office. Something was lacking. It wasn't right. But just maybe...

Niles tore himself away from Gabe with enough force that he staggered back against the desk. "No," he insisted. It took all of his strength to refuse. To turn away from all that he wanted. "Not until I figure this out." He reached for his desk chair. "Not until I know how to get the EGO into Amanda." Finally, some sense of conviction, even if his knees felt weak.

But maybe just a small break, they could go up to his apartment...